Saudi, Hungarian defense ministers discuss military ties    Al-Rajhi: Cabinet's decision is supportive to most vulnerable groups    King Salman appoints Dr. Majid Al-Fayyad as Royal Court advisor    Alkhorayef emphasizes Saudi Arabia's growing role as global industrial investment hub    Saudi Arabia adopts World Drowning Prevention Day as national health priority    GACA imposes SR2.8 million in fines for 87 civil aviation violations in Q2 2025    Desperate Gaza doctors cram several babies into one incubator as fuel crisis reaches critical point    ICC issues arrest warrants for Taliban leaders over women's rights violations    Syria issues appeal to EU for help battling massive wildfires along northwestern coast    Total e-messages sent to parties in lawsuits reach over 11.8 million during first half of 2025    3 arrested in assault case in Riyadh    New Property Ownership Law will take into effect in January 2026 Al-Hogail thanks King and Crown Prince for the updated law    HONOR returns to Esports World Cup as Official Smartphone Partner for 2025 The renewed commitment will see HONOR elevate mobile esports competition with cutting-edge AI technologies and industry-leading hardware    Riot Games responds to match-fixing allegations in VALORANT    BLAST responds to BESTIA Visa controversy ahead of CS2 Austin major    Christophe Galtier named NEOM SC head coach ahead of historic Saudi Pro League debut    Michael Madsen, actor of 'Kill Bill' and 'Reservoir Dogs' fame, dead at 67    BTS are back: K-pop band confirm new album and tour    Michelin Guide launches in Saudi Arabia with phased rollout in 2025    'How fragile we are': Roskilde Festival tragedy remembered 25 years on    Sholay: Bollywood epic roars back to big screen after 50 years with new ending    Ministry launches online booking for slaughterhouses on eve of Eid Al-Adha    Shah Rukh Khan makes Met Gala debut in Sabyasachi    Pakistani star's Bollywood return excites fans and riles far right    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



New Zealand coach keen on another green top
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 17 - 02 - 2016

New Zealand coach Mike Hesson is hoping the Hagley Oval pitch for the second Test against Australia will pose a challenge for the batsmen from both sides after the green Basin Reserve wicket eased out by the end of the first day of the opening Test.
Australia captain Steve Smith had little hesitation in putting New Zealand in to bat after winning the toss in the first Test that started last Friday in Wellington.
The host essentially lost the match in the first hour as Australia exploited the seamer-friendly conditions and crashed to 51 for five inside 12 overs. It was eventually skittled out for 183.
The pitch, however, browned off quickly and while Australia went through some tough periods, the ball did little off the wicket from the second day as it built up a massive 562 with Adam Voges scoring a double century. Australia won the match by an innings and 52 runs Monday.
"I would have liked this to have been much greener than it was. It only seamed for two hours and that meant that both sides weren't able to be exposed in those conditions," Hesson told reporters in Wellington Tuesday.
"It's a bit different when it seams for two hours, it makes the toss a little bit more important.
"I think if you're good enough to make the most of it you can be exposed. Ideally you'd like both sides to have a bit of a crack at it when it does seam."
New Zealand's top seven batsmen in the first innings at the Basin Reserve fell to catches behind the wicket, indicating how disciplined the Australians were with their lines and their ability to get the ball to do just enough off the surface.
In New Zealand's second innings, they were able to get the older ball to reverse swing.
Australia's batsmen had issues with the moving ball against England last year, but they were not tested to the same extent by New Zealand's pace attack, who were also tight but did not get the same assistance from the pitch or through the air.
"We haven't been able to expose them on those surfaces because we haven't moved the ball," Hesson said. "Even this Test match we weren't able to move the ball off the straight whether that be in the air or off the wicket and that's something we're going to have to work on in the coming days." The second test starts on Feb. 20 in Christchurch.
Taylor to test fitness
Injured New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor will test his fitness ahead of next month's World Twenty20 tournament in India when he plays in an ‘Island of Origin' match next week.
Taylor sustained a side strain against Pakistan last month and was ruled out of the entire ongoing series against Australia.
The aggressive right-handed batsman had hoped to make a return for the second Test in Christchurch, which starts Saturday, but was ruled out.
Instead he will captain the North Island in a Twenty20 match on Feb. 28 against the South Island at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
New Zealand's first match at the World Twenty20 is against hosts India in Nagpur on March 15. Pakistan, Australia and a qualifier make up the rest of its group.


Clic here to read the story from its source.